It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago Casey Donovan won Australian Idol. Just 16 years old, she was thrust into the spotlight and every high and low was captured for all to see. She took away the main prize, but in the years following would be working as a medical receptionist and a rideshare driver to pay the bills.

Casey threw her hat back in the reality show ring with I’m a Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here, and won again. And in the past few years, she’s had a kind of second life starring in hit musicals across the country.

Through it all, her powerhouse voice and grounded nature has endeared her to millions of Australians. For me, watching her belt out huge songs every New Years Eve proves she’s unparalleled. In music and life, Casey can take just about anything thrown at her.

But what is the music she retreats to, when she needs it most? This is a beautiful conversation with a resilient Queen, and the stories that led her here.

• Mr. Big - 'To Be With You'
• Maggie Rogers - 'Light On'
• Allen Stone - 'Bed I Made'
• Maddie Zahm - 'You Might Not Like Her'
• James Bay - 'One Life'

Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

Bernard Fanning is no stranger to the limelight. With Powderfinger he sold millions of albums and rocked out to stadiums of adoring fans.

Then he stripped it back as a solo artist and went Number 1 again. Bernard holds the record for the most amount of Hottest 100 number 1’s, he is adored by generations of Australians, and is one of the most enjoyable people to chat music with.

Bernard’s new project with Paul Dempsey proves he’s still compelled to create music, and with all of this history, we sat down in Melbourne’s legendary Bakehouse Studios to Take 5.

Interestingly, Bernard came up with his own theme for this one; he was super keen to explore the world’s of vulnerability and bravado. And from Bowie to Nina Simone, AC/DC to Bob Dylan, we unpacked a whole lot more. Settle in for this special extended cut of Bernard Fanning's Take 5.

• AC/DC – ‘Jailbreak’
• David Bowie – ‘Sound And Vision’
• Nina Simone – 'I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free’
• Prince – ‘1999’
• Bob Dylan – ‘Most Of The Time’ 

Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

Neil Finn is one of our greatest living songwriters. In Split Enz and Crowded House, solo and in his collaborations, his tunes have become the soundtrack to our lives. 

I’ve been chasing Neil to Take 5 for the TV series since the beginning, and finally he said yes. Even better, he invited us to film at his own studios. Roundhead, a pale green building on an Auckland street that has seen some incredible music history go down.

Bunker down in the basement of Roundhead, as Neil Finn shares the DNA of his songwriting heart, and the music that soars for him.

• David Bowie – ‘Quicksand’
• Ludwig van Beethoven – Piano Sonata No.8 “Pathétique” in C minor, Op. 13, 2nd Movement: Adagio cantabile (performed by Arthur Rubinstein)
• Split Enz – ‘Time for a Change’
• The Beatles – ‘Across the Universe’
• Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong – ‘Summertime’

Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

Many of us have grown up with Claudia Karvan. She's been on our screens since she was 10 years old, starring in films like The Big Steal and The Heartbreak Kid. And we’ve fallen in love with her on the small screen, in her long running roles on The Secret Life of Us and Love My Way. These days, Claudia is not only an actor but a hugely successful producer behind TV shows like Doctor Doctor and Bump.

Through all she does there is a great sense of optimism, so I gave her the theme of hope. And from John & Yoko to The Velvets to BARKAA, she confirmed once again why she is universally loved.

• John Lennon – ‘Hold On’
• Ibrahim Ferrer – ‘Marieta’
• The Velvet Underground – ‘I’m Sticking With You’
• BARKAA – ‘We Up’
• Sinéad O’Connor – ‘Thank You for Hearing Me’

Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

Bill Bailey is one of the most loved comedians in the world. From his breakout role as Manny in the cult TV show Black Books, to his exceptional talent for playing multiple instruments, he always leaves his audiences feeling brighter. Bill is fascinated with natural history and humanity, his curiosity knows no bounds and music has been a constant companion. 

I asked him to Take 5 with songs that reflect humanity, and he gifted me an extraordinary conversation about life, death, risk taking and memory making. I was buzzing after this chat, and I hope you will be too.

• The Kinks – ‘You Really Got Me’
• PJ Harvey – ‘Big Exit’
• Johnny Cash – ‘Hurt’
• Foals – ‘Mountain At My Gates’
• Talking Heads – ‘Once In A Lifetime’

Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

We’re diving into a new season of Take 5 on ABC TV and ABC iview, with all of season three now up to stream! And while Take 5 comes back to your screens, you’re gonna hear special extended cuts right here on the podcast. 

Season 3 is a ripper. Comedian Bill Bailey, beloved actor Claudia Karvan, rock legends Neil Finn and Bernard Fanning, performer extraordinaire Casey Donovan… and to kick it all off, the one and only Dannii Minogue.

Dannii has been in the public eye since the age of 10. As a kid on Young Talent Time, she jumped into soap opera Home & Away then hit the pop charts with her dance hits. She designed her own fashion line, judged rising stars to 20 million people in the UK, and now hosts the UK’s first ever queer dating show. Dannii Minogue has lived many lives. So what were the catalysts that drove her extraordinary career? 

From an icon who set her path, to victorious songs of survival and reminders of living life to the full, this is a beautiful conversation that will show Dannii Minogue in a whole new light.

• Olivia Newton-John – ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’
• Madonna – ‘Into the Groove’
• Robbie Williams & Kylie Minogue – ‘Kids’
• Ultra Naté – ‘Free’
• Agnes – ‘Selfmade’

Watch Take 5 on ABC iview: https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe

Irish singer CMAT has been taking the world by storm. Shortlisted for the Mercury Music Prize and counting Elton John as a fan, her country-twinged songs capture heartbreak with a healthy dose of humour.

A couple of albums in, and an Australian visit on the way, I thought it was high time we got to know the woman from Ireland, born Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson. After listening to this, you'll want to be her bestie. With an extraordinary music knowledge and plenty of craic, dive into CMAT's suckerpunch songs.

• Dory Previn - 'The Lady With The Braid'
• Belle and Sebastian – 'Expectations'
• Gary Stewart – 'She’s Actin' Single (I’m Drinkin' Doubles)'
• Car Seat Headrest – 'Maud Gone'
• Brenda & The Big Dudes – 'Weekend Special'

Michelle Brasier is a comedian, actor, writer and singer. You might have seen her on Aunty Donna, Mad As Hell and Thank God You're Here, or caught one of her award winning stand-up shows.

Michelle has also just published her first book; it’s a memoir titled My Brother's Ashes are in a Sandwich Bag, and it’s beautiful, it’s funny, and it's filled with hope. It reminds us of the little moments in life that make it shimmer. And from Bonnie Tyler to Bo Burnham, Michelle will share the right song for the right moment, with you.

• Bonnie Tyler - 'Total Eclipse of the Heart'
• Bo Burnham - 'Look Who’s Inside Again'
• Lady Gaga - 'Paparazzi'
• Johnny Cash - 'Ring of Fire'
• Arcade Fire - 'Wake Up' 

Dan Kelly is one of our best songwriters. He's whimsical, charming, and with indie-pop hooks for days. Almost 10 years since his last album, he’s now back with GOLDFEELS, and a decidedly more serious outlook. But Dan still knows how to draw you into a yarn and make you smile.

He also looks to some heroes for inspiration, grounding, and to follow their arrow. So dig into his 'story time' Take 5 with five incredible songwriters.

• Joni Mitchell – 'Carey' 
• The Pogues – 'Medley: The Recruiting Sergeant/The Rocky Road to Dublin/Galway Races'
• Emma Donovan & The Putbacks – 'Pink Skirt' 
• World Party – 'Ship Of Fools'
• Irma Thomas – 'It’s Raining'

Noel Gallagher is just like you.

Putting aside the fame and fortune, the hit records and the very public family issues, at his heart he's a big music nerd. As a kid he idolised the songs on the record player and worshipped the legends who wrote them.

His Take 5 theme was 'escape', and growing up in a council estate in The North, music was Noel’s escape. He’d be transported by older kids' records and dance till dawn at the infamous Haçienda nightclub. But even as his fame grew and he moved to big houses in the leafy parts of London, the desire for music to whisk him away remained.

• Pink Floyd – 'Nobody Home'
• The Smiths – 'Asleep'
• Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass – 'This Guy's In Love With You'
• Air – 'All I Need'
• The Beatles – 'I Am The Walrus'

Contains strong language. This episode was originally broadcast in 2023.

A special little treat for you in the feed this week; a conversation with Nick Cave. After years away, he's returned to doing interviews, and Zan Rowe was lucky to get the only Australian radio interview with him. They spoke about Wild God, the legacy of the Bad Seeds, people lost, and things found. About frogs.

Settle in for a beautiful conversation with one of the greatest artists and poets of our time. A fella who has been through it, and emerged with new purpose. The one and only, Nick Cave.